Looking for a larger vehicle...to replace Highander.

[clemsonfor]

We have an 01 Highlander. We are looking at Expeditions to replace it. Looking in the 10 year old range. $10k or less.

Were looking at the Tahoe I know they do a bit better on fuel but that third row seat sitting on the hump makes it u useable for adults And the fact that the seats tumble forward or have to pull out vs the ford that folds flat.

I know these era fords have the stuck plug issue and coil packs and also heard about the injector issue.

And why is the coil issue reoccurring? A new coil should fix the issue right. So why do you keep hearing people having this issue again? Or is it different coils going out as they dont replace them all? (But I have heard people saying certain plugs keep missfireing...as long as the connector and boot are fine, this doesnt make sense?)

Other than these any thoughts on their reliability or other issues.

 

[clemsonfor]

Oh this is to replace our current vehicle as there is not enough space when we travel.

I will two my 3500lb boat in summers And two my 16ft trailer and tractor depending upon what's on it will weigh 5000# give or take.

 

[Diamondpilot]

The plugs blow out when replaced by someone who over torqued them. It's been a issue for a while and it's a bad design but the good news it's a easy fix.

The stuck plugs is a result of Ford trying to fix the issue with a new plug design. It never comes up unless you need to replace the plugs, usually around 150,000 miles. Again the fix is relatively cheap.

Overall the Expedition is a great vehicle. My sister drives a 2011? EL version. Not a single issue to date. My father had 2 in the early 2000's and they were trouble free. My uncle had 1 and the Lincoln version called the Navigator. The Lincoln had a leaking front windshield but other than that trouble free also.

They are great vehicles. Later years went from the leaf springs to coils for a better ride but in my opinion were not as well suited for heavy towing. Below 6,000# or so they are just fine.

Chris

 

[terryknight]

we had a 04 XLT 2wd with the smaller 4.6 V8 for what we used it for it was great, comfortable, got 22ish in the highway, towed the small boat easily. sold it several years ago for less than $10K. wished i had it back instead of the Jeep i'm using currently.

 

[clemsonfor]

Terry, was that an expidition or a truck?

No body else have an expidition or a truck of the era that you want to share insight in on its reliability or repairs its needed?

How about any suburban folks of the same era?

 

[terryknight]

expedition (what you asked about) never had a newer tahoe, but dad has an 06 chevy suburban, i don't like it quality seems lacking, lights on on the dash running lights always seem to be out, but it does have 25xK on it with nothing major. he also has a 97 tahoe which i do like 147K and nothing major on it either.

 

[QueBota]

I would go for an Expedition EL(Ex Length, like a Suburban) or Suburban. Much more useable space for not much more money. The space behind the rear seat in a Tahoe/Yukon or regular Expedtion isn't very large. Have a 2003 5.3 Suburban K1500, approx. 180K miles, relatively trouble free, power is adequate, mileage is good if driven reasonably. Plus the longer wheel base pulls a trailer a little better.

Q

 

[clemsonfor]

We like the third row for if needed but i bet 90% of the time the third row seats will be folded if we get an expidition or if a suburban they will be out of the vehicle totally

 

[Diamondpilot]

We like the third row for if needed but i bet 90% of the time the third row seats will be folded if we get an expidition or if a suburban they will be out of the vehicle totally

Thats the beauty of the Expedition. You get somewhere and buy something simply fold down the seat. No coming back later once you remove the seat.

Chris

 

[JESSE1]

I've had '97, '01, 04, 07 EL and currently an '11 King Ranch. All had the 5.4 and were great vehicles.

 

[tcartwri]

Just be aware that the expeditions have non serviceable rear suspension components. If the joints and bushings are worn, you have to replace the entire control arm. You often can't tell there's a problem until you get on ice or snowy roads at which point you'll be white knuckling it.

 

[HHR]

Next year you will be able to get a 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter Van. That would make for a great off road camping rig. 4x4 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van - First Looks - Road & Track If you are looking at an 03 or newer Expedition, try to find one with the RSC stability control option. There will be a button between the front cup holders. I like the 03-04 Expedition because they have the 2-valve 5.4L v8. The 05-06 has the 3-valve motor that can have cam phaser and spark plug stickage issues. Lower radiator supports are also a common rust through point. Rear hatch is aluminum and has corrosion/paint adhesion problem around the license plate area.

 

[aczlan]

I would go for an Expedition EL(Ex Length, like a Suburban) or Suburban. Much more useable space for not much more money. The space behind the rear seat in a Tahoe/Yukon or regular Expedtion isn't very large. Have a 2003 5.3 Suburban K1500, approx. 180K miles, relatively trouble free, power is adequate, mileage is good if driven reasonably. Plus the longer wheel base pulls a trailer a little better.

We have a 2005 Yukon XL that we picked up this spring to replace a '02 Caravan. We also looked at Expeditions, Tahoes and Durangos, but the Durango, Tahoe and Expedition didn't have enough room behind the 3rd row seat and the Expedition EL was impossible to find used in our price range (I think the EL came out in 2007?). Ours only had two owners before us (both in the same family) and was in better than excellent condition which made it well worth flying down from NY to Raleigh to pick it up.
It has the 5.3 and the 3.73 rear end, we get 15-16 around town and 18-20 on the highway (depending on speed).
I never thought I would like a GM product, but it rides better than my Volvo does and is as comfortable to sit in.

Aaron Z

 

[bdeboer]

I had an '02 K2500 Suburban. Same body different suspension than the 1/2 Ton. Bought it with 50K miles in '05 traded on an '08 Diesel Silverado with 98K in March of '08.

It was the "LT" trim with 4 captain chairs and the 3rd row. Worked great with 3 kids two in car seats at the time.

Had an actuator under the dash go bad for the AC and an the temperature sensor for the climate control was bad when purchased. Had some front end issues before trading in, but it was 3/4 ton with almost 100K miles probably "normal" lifespan stuff. I would purchase another one if needed from the time frame you are looking at.

Also have owned 3 different '99 to '05 5.3L/4speed automatic GM's haven't had issues.

 

[clemsonfor]

I know there are for sure issues with breaking plugs if you wait to long to change them and they have coil failures do to leaking hood seal. And the squeaky wheel always gets the grease and the internet is full of hate for the 5.4 and for motor. But there are literally millions of them on the road and they ALL cant be as bad as the stories you hear.

 

[clemsonfor]

Next year you will be able to get a 4x4 Mercedes Sprinter Van. That would make for a great off road camping rig. 4x4 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van - First Looks - Road & Track If you are looking at an 03 or newer Expedition, try to find one with the RSC stability control option. There will be a button between the front cup holders. I like the 03-04 Expedition because they have the 2-valve 5.4L v8. The 05-06 has the 3-valve motor that can have cam phaser and spark plug stickage issues. Lower radiator supports are also a common rust through point. Rear hatch is aluminum and has corrosion/paint adhesion problem around the license plate area.

There is a local 05 on a lot that has the paint peeling issue on the hatch. Its on the top though right in the area where the hinges attach. Its the top of the hatch , the part that faces up when then hatch is closed. you can see it if you stand on bumper

 

[clemsonfor]

Just be aware that the expeditions have non serviceable rear suspension components. If the joints and bushings are worn, you have to replace the entire control arm. You often can't tell there's a problem until you get on ice or snowy roads at which point you'll be white knuckling it.

Good thing we might get snow once or twice a year!!

but how can a suspention issue only show up in the snow?

 

[clemsonfor]

We have a 2005 Yukon XL that we picked up this spring to replace a '02 Caravan. We also looked at Expeditions, Tahoes and Durangos, but the Durango, Tahoe and Expedition didn't have enough room behind the 3rd row seat and the Expedition EL was impossible to find used in our price range (I think the EL came out in 2007?). Ours only had two owners before us (both in the same family) and was in better than excellent condition which made it well worth flying down from NY to Raleigh to pick it up.
It has the 5.3 and the 3.73 rear end, we get 15-16 around town and 18-20 on the highway (depending on speed).
I never thought I would like a GM product, but it rides better than my Volvo does and is as comfortable to sit in.

Aaron Z

Yep the Yulon XL is a suburban basically?

Yea the expedition EL came out in 07

 

[clemsonfor]

I had an '02 K2500 Suburban. Same body different suspension than the 1/2 Ton. Bought it with 50K miles in '05 traded on an '08 Diesel Silverado with 98K in March of '08.

It was the "LT" trim with 4 captain chairs and the 3rd row. Worked great with 3 kids two in car seats at the time.

Had an actuator under the dash go bad for the AC and an the temperature sensor for the climate control was bad when purchased. Had some front end issues before trading in, but it was 3/4 ton with almost 100K miles probably "normal" lifespan stuff. I would purchase another one if needed from the time frame you are looking at.

Also have owned 3 different '99 to '05 5.3L/4speed automatic GM's haven't had issues.

Im looking at ones with 100-135k to get them in our price range!!!

 

[aczlan]

Yep the Yulon XL is a suburban basically?

Yes. A Suburban with GMC badges on it.

Aaron Z